Ilan Strasser of Fat Moose Comics and Games in Whippany, New Jersey read Paul Stock's Talk Back regarding street dates for the Direct Market and possible ways of Diamond policing them (see "Paul Stock of Astro Books on Street Dates") and had this to say:
Relative to a weekly charge to fund Diamond's policing of street dates, all I can say is, I don't think so. It's not the amount of the weekly fee that was suggested that bothers me, but it's the idea itself. Diamond's motto has always been "More services for your success." Well, this is a service they should provide with the revenues they already receive. Lord knows they are hurting us each week in terms of shipping costs. First, the system they use is inefficient--I often get boxes with 1-3 items in them where the shipping ends up being more than the profit on the items. Secondly, and I am not alone in this, I think Diamond is making a profit on the shipping costs they charge. Therefore, I really do not want to pay any extra fees for another "service."
Yes, I would like the books on Monday or Tuesday for the rightly stated reasons, but if there will be another charge that hurts my bottom line, I want Diamond to give me the option of refusing such a service.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
'I Don't Think So'
Posted by ICv2 on January 3, 2010 @ 11:00 pm CT

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